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Historical flags of Burundi

Flag in 1961-1962
Flag in 1962-1966
Flag in 1966-1967
Flag in 1967-1970
Flag in 1970-1982

See also:

Burundi

Flag in 1961-1962

by Jaume Ollé, 20 Jan 1997

First the flag was vertical: red, white, green, with golden emblem (a drum) in center. This flag was in use around 1961-62. Posted to me by Jorge Hurtado, head redactor of Banderas.
Jaume Ollé, 20 Jan 1997 and 05 Sep 1998

Was it realy used, and is the yellow device on the central strip a drum like in the flag of 1962-1966?
Mark Sensen, 20 Jan 1997

The true source of this flag is very unreliable: If I remember correctly, this flag was redesigned after a newspaper report which said that «in Burundi was hoisted a flag of red, white and green with a Royal drum in it». So this flag might be nothing more than a wrong reconstruction of the 1962 flag.
Ralf Stelter, 13 Jun 1999

Flag in 1962-1966

by Pascal Gross, 22 Aug 1998

From 1962, when Burundi achieved independence from Belgium, until 1966 the country flew a similar flag, but in the centre was a drum, called the Karyenda, a traditional emblem of the Mwami (king). There was also a sorghum plant, placed in front of the Karyenda.
Stuart Notholt, 12 Mar 1996

On 1 de July the flag was changed to similar current pattern. In the center the plant and the drum (now in red). This flag show in the post stamp issued in the independence day. The image above is one of several known variants.
Jaume Ollé, 05 Sep 1998

W. Smith [smi80] also suggests this possibility of the Burundian flag being based on the old Sabena flag, but he also says that there is no proof of that.
Zeljko Heimer, 02 Aug 1996

I’m not convinced that the design is similar enough to that of Burundi to have inspired the latter.
Vincent Morley, 03 Nov 1997

Red drum variation

by Pascal Gross, 22 Aug 1998

The king (Tutsi) appreciated similarity between the red drum and a hutu axe, and ordered change, seems that to more complex drum that show in several books.
Jaume Ollé, 05 Sep 1998

When the monarchy was overthrown in 1966, these symbols were abandoned.
Stuart Notholt, 12 Mar 1996

Flag in 1966-1967

by António Martins, 15 Nov 1999

After 29 November 1966 the monarchy fell, and the drum was supressed (but not the plant).
Jaume Ollé, 05 Sep 1998

Between 1966 and 1967, the drum was supressed but the sorgo plant persisted. The period is a bit confuse. If I under understad well, according the issue 10 of DGF-Nachrichten [dgf], the flag was used without drum neither plant for one or two days (27-28 November 1966).
Jaume Ollé, 05 Sep 1998

Flag in 1967-1970

by Mark Sensen and António Martins, 15 Nov 1999

28 July 1967 the fimbriated stars were added to the flag arranged two in the upper part and one in the lower part. This flag show in a post stamp from 1967 (First anniversary of the republic).
Jaume Ollé, 05 Sep 1998

Flag in 1970-1982

by Mark Sensen and António Martins, 15 Nov 1999

Later (near 1970) the arrangement of the stars was changed to the current pattern (one over two) according to post stamp of 1970 (4th anniversary of the republic).
Jaume Ollé, 05 Sep 1998

The ratio of the flag was changed in 27-9-82 to 3:5 when was published the official regulation.
Jaume Ollé, 05 Sep 1998